Dr. William Johnson, Jr., 95, of Philadelphia, a standout runner and retired dentist who practiced for many years in Mt. Airy, died at home Aug. 26 of congestive heart failure.<\/p>\n
For 40 years, Johnson served patients at his Chew Avenue office in East Mt. Airy. When he began his career, he was one of only a few African American dentists practicing in Philadelphia. His loyal patients were reluctant to see him retire, and he continued practicing until the age of 83. He finally retired in 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe taught me a strong work ethic, a love for arts and culture, a passion for serving my community, the importance of staying active and above all, kindness to others,\u201d daughter Jacqueline Forbes told the Local last week. \u201cHe will be deeply missed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Born in Norristown, Johnson was the third of four children born to Jesse White Johnson and William Johnson Sr. While he was a student at New York University, Johnson Jr. earned a bachelor\u2019s degree and also ran track for the college team. He later received his doctor of dental surgery degree from the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee. Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and served as a dentist during the Korean War. He was a longtime member of the New York Dental Society and Philadelphia Dental Society.<\/p>\n
Johnson met Susie Jeffries while he was in dental school. They eventually married, lived in Orleans, France, and moved to Philadelphia after his discharge from the Army. They divorced after having two children. Johnson later married Liz Goldberg and the couple were married for 35 years.<\/p>\n
The Johnsons traveled extensively. \u201dWe spent many years in southern Mexico,\u201d said Liz Goldberg-Johnson, a filmmaker, artist and a professor in the fashion design department at Drexel University. \u201cWe loved the culture and the weather. Finally, I got a pass to film in Havana for an animated film. We loved the people there. Later we found our favorite island, St. Maarten. We were definitely lovers of the Caribbean.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson also loved running. He was a star distance runner and football player at Norristown High School and later took part in the Broad Street Run and finished first in the masters\u2019 divisions at the Penn Relays. He and his wife, also an avid runner, belonged to the Freedom Striders, of Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe ran every morning,\u201d Goldberg-Johnson said. \u201cDepending on upcoming races, we would run anywhere from six to 25 miles. The farthest I ran was in the New York City Marathon. For 20 years, every New Year\u2019s Day we all met, and Bill was the king. His buddies from the Army and life have passed. Bill and I were a tandem loving team. We enjoyed each other and life to the fullest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson learned to play the cello in his later years and was a gifted gardener with an extraordinary green thumb. He touched plants that seemed to blossom automatically in his capable hands.<\/p>\n
When he became ill, Johnson was forced to slow down, but his enthusiasm never waned.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the beginning, I was his guide and cane, and we still traveled with cabs and me guiding him,\u201d Goldberg-Johnson said. \u201cHis legs started to grow weak. He was mentally absolutely on-point and still attended opera in New York City and the dental convention every year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson remained an enthusiastic reader who loved poring over the newspaper each day while enjoying freshly percolated coffee. His favorite novelist was Ken Follett, a Welsh author of thrillers and historical novels.<\/p>\n
\u201dDad was a lifelong informed learner, eager to understand the world a little better than he did the day before,\u201d son Bill Johnson told the Local. \u201cEven in the final months of his life, his curiosity never faded. He taught himself how to solve the Rubik\u2019s Cube, approaching it with the same patience, determination and quiet joy that defined so much of who he was.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to his wife and children, Johnson is survived by grandchildren Will, Emily, Kelcey and Karla Johnson. A sister and brother predeceased him.<\/p>\n
Donations in his memory to Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208.<\/p>\n